“On the Lam” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Have you ever listened to an English conversation and heard someone using the term ‘on the lam’? If you have, you may wonder what the speaker was referring to. We are going to take a look at the meaning of this phrase and how it can be used in a day to day conversation. We will also look into where the term originally came from.

On the Lam Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The meaning of the term ‘on the lam’ means to run away, escape or flee. It can be used to describe someone who is missing or has run away.
On the Lam Meaning
On the Lam Meaning – Created by 7ESL

“On the Lam” Meaning

On the lam” is an idiom that means someone is running away or fleeing from the authorities, often to avoid arrest or legal consequences. It refers to being on the run, typically used in the context of criminals or fugitives trying to escape law enforcement.

Example:

  • “After the robbery, the suspects went on the lam to avoid getting caught by the police.”

The phrase suggests a sense of urgency or trying to evade capture.

Origin of this Idiom

The term ‘on the lam’ first came from the late 1800s. The word lam originally meant ‘flight’ which could be another way of referring to an escape or fleeing. The term originated from the United States.

Usage of “On the Lam”

Here are some examples of its usage:

  1. In crime stories: “The bank robbers have been on the lam for weeks, but the police are closing in on them.”
  2. In movies or TV shows: “After breaking out of prison, the convict went on the lam, constantly moving to avoid getting caught.”
  3. In news reports: “The suspect is believed to be on the lam, having fled the city shortly after the crime.”
  4. In casual conversation: “He skipped town after the scandal broke, and now he’s on the lam trying to avoid the media.”

Related Terms to “On the Lam”

  • On the run – Fleeing from authorities or someone pursuing you.
  • Fugitive – A person who is running away or has escaped from custody or justice.
  • At large – Refers to someone, typically a criminal, who is free and not yet caught by the authorities.
  • In hiding – Staying out of sight to avoid being found, often by authorities or others.
  • On the loose – Refers to someone who has escaped and is still free.
  • Escaped convict – A person who has broken out of prison and is avoiding capture.
  • Evading capture – Actively avoiding being caught or arrested.
  • Absconding – Leaving hurriedly and secretly to avoid arrest or prosecution.
  • Wanted – A person being sought by the law, often featured in “wanted” posters.
  • Skip town – To leave a place secretly, usually to avoid trouble or punishment.

Other Ways to Say “On the Lam”

There are many other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term ‘on the lam.’

Here are some examples of other things you might say in its place.

  • Gone awol
  • Ran away
  • Making an escape
  • Running from the police

“On the Lam” Examples

Examples in Statement

This is a statement being made by a police officer about a criminal.

  • ‘The suspect is on the lam and we have no idea where he has gone.’

This is a statement being made by a news reporter.

  • ‘The girl is on the lam and her family are looking for her.’

More useful examples:

  • Brenner was recaptured after three weeks on the lam.
  • The robbers were on the lam for several days before they were caught.
  • Mrs. Taylor, her husband at her side, surrendered to police Saturday after two days on the lam.
  • He’s always in some kind of trouble and perpetually on the lam.
  • Erik was on the lam for killing a man who had refused to return some borrowed bedsteads.

Conversation Examples

If you would like to know how the term ‘on the lam’ can be used during a conversation, here are some examples to show how it might sound.

The first conversation is happening between two friends.

  • Person 1: “Do you know where Ian is?”
  • Person 2: “I think he went on the lam after his argument with his wife.”

This next conversation is taking place between a husband and wife.

  • Person 1: “There have been a lot of people going missing just recently.”
  • Person 2: “Yes, I saw on the news yesterday.”
  • Person 1: “You’d think it was becoming a trend to be on the lam.”
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